Words that are Speaking to Me

by Ruth Ayres

It begins with character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to… Read More →

Slightly Invisible

by Ruth Ayres

This book will be for sale on May 10 and I suggest you make a plan to get it! I’ve read it to my own kids more than ten times already and today… Read More →

Rereading. Rereading. Rereading.

by Ruth Ayres

Something that I’ve noticed about myself is the thing I do THE MOST when writing is rereading. I spend exorbitant amounts of time rereading. Then I reread some more. Then I reread it aloud. Something… Read More →

Making Characters Come Alive

by Ruth Ayres

I liked this book.  A lot. It’s sweet and charming, and makes me realize that maybe there’s a part of me that’s a hopeless romantic.  After I read it, I had to track… Read More →

Ruth’s SOLS: I Love My Dad!

by Ruth Ayres

Last week my dad turned sixty. My brother, his wife, Andy, and I decided it called for a party. So we planned (and pulled off) a surprise party for him. Saturday evening nineteen… Read More →

Slice of Life Tuesday

by Ruth Ayres

Keynotes On My Mind

by Ruth Ayres

The first time I attended a conference for teachers (I was in college), I attended a keynote speaker lunch. At the end of it, I told the people I was with, “Someday I… Read More →

Nudging

by Ruth Ayres

I’ve been thinking about the difference between pushing and nudging lately. Last summer I listened to Katie Ray and Matt Glover talk about nudging primary students as writers. At first I didn’t think… Read More →

Words that are Speaking to Me

by Ruth Ayres

“Have compassion for yourself when you write. There’s no failure — just a big field to wander in.” – Natalie Goldberg

Train Books I Love (And Kids Do Too)

by Ruth Ayres

Do you know this book? My son loves it. Like serious love. So I brought it into a second grade workshop and they loved it too. In fact, this week Duck vs. Gum… Read More →

A Tough Conference

by Ruth Ayres

Today I conferred with a fourth grade girl who was doing her best to write a feature article. I watched her for a few minutes before I conferred with her and noticed she… Read More →

Today’s Teaching Points

by Ruth Ayres

What were your teaching points in today’s minilessons? Here were mine: 4th grade feature article (informational writing) unit: Writers use specific words about the subject when writing informational texts. 4th grade fiction unit:… Read More →

Slice of Life Tuesday

by Ruth Ayres

Link your slice here. Happy writing!

How Often Do You Celebrate Student Writing?

by Ruth Ayres

I know most of us relish in the small celebrations of student writing everyday. This happens when we use student work to teach a minilesson, give positive feedback during a conference, and give… Read More →

Words that are Speaking to Me

by Ruth Ayres

“Often I’ll find clues to where the story might go by figuring out where the characters would rather not go.” –Doug Lawson

Using Share Time to Ask for Help

by Ruth Ayres

This week I conferred with the student (K.) who wrote the above spread. The illustrations prior to this spread were rich with setting details. I was surprised when I turned to these pages… Read More →

First Grade Reflections

by Ruth Ayres

Today Maggie Gayton asked her first graders to write a reflection about what they have learned recently as a writer. Her students, using pictures and words, reminded us of the power of writing… Read More →

Plotting Short Fiction

by Ruth Ayres

Last month at MRA, I listened to Jacqueline Woodson speak about her writing process. It wasn’t the first time I heard her speak and I hope it won’t be my last. She is… Read More →

Guess What (Ruth’s SOLS)

by Ruth Ayres

Sam: Momma, guess what. Me: I don’t know, what? Sam: Get ready, because this is a big one. Me: Okay, what? Sam: Are you ready? Me: I’m ready. Sam: Okay, brace yourself and… Read More →

Hello Slicers

by Ruth Ayres